Netflix Now Playing On Sony's PlayStation 3

Netflix is taking the world by storm. Blockbuster stores are shaking at the thought of being dominated by by-mail DVD outlets, and with "Watch Instantly" bringing Netflix titles to users on-demand over broadband, one really does have to wonder if there's any limit to just how popular this company will become.

For the longest while, Netflix streaming was reserved (on consoles) to Microsoft's Xbox 360, but now--soon after Sony issued its cheaper $299 PlayStation 3 "Slim"--that service is being ushered onto another game console. Starting now, PS3 owners can apply for a streaming disc from Netflix (so long as they have an account that includes unlimited streaming), and a Blu-ray Disc will come in the mail that enables the service on the machine. Unfortunately Netflix streaming on the PS3 will block your optical drive, but hey, if you're watching a flick, you should probably just sit back and relax, anyway.

If you've got a PS3 and you want in, you can get an $8.99/month account and patiently await your disc.

The partnership between Netflix and PS3 was announced late last month and makes a broad range of entertainment options available to 11.1 Netflix members and close to 9 million PS3 system owners in the United States.

The partnership solidifies the PS3 system as the most complete home entertainment hub on the market today, allowing consumers to play high-definition games, watch Blu-ray movies, listen to music, view photos, browse the Internet, and download games, movies and TV shows from PlayStation®Network. PS3 system owners will now enjoy an unparalleled experience watching their favorite movies and TV shows streamed instantly from Netflix.

For only $8.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and computers via Netflix ready devices such as the PS3 system and can receive unlimited DVDs delivered quickly to their homes.

Watching movies instantly streamed from Netflix via the PS3 system is enabled by an instant streaming Blu-ray disc that is being made available free to all Netflix members. The free instant streaming disc leverages Blu-ray's BD-Live(TM) technology to access the Internet and activate the Netflix user interface on the PS3 system, which must be online via Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Netflix members and PS3 system owners can now receive a free instant streaming disc for PS3 systems by going to www.netflix.com/ps3. The instant streaming disc will be delivered for free by first-class mail, generally one business day after members request it.

Netflix members simply slide the disc into their PS3 systems to reveal movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly. These titles are conveniently organized into a variety of categories based on members' personal preferences, popular genres, new arrivals and members' individual instant Queues. Members can use the Netflix Web site or navigate directly on their PS3 systems to add movies and TV shows to their Queues. With the PS3 system's Wireless Controller, members can choose a movie to watch from their instant Queues or just play directly from any of the lists. They also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream via the Wireless Controller.